COPD decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, anemia, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a right heel condition, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year following his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for respiratory conditions, GERD, and hypertension due to additional VA treatment records being added to his file. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining addendum opinions from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, myelodysplastic syndrome, and abdominal aortic aneurism have been granted. Claims for colon cancer, chronic renal disease, polycystic kidney disease (claimed as kidney failure), cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), COPD, atrial fibrillation, and emphysema are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD and bilateral eye condition due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is instructed to obtain new medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service, including service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis.

The Veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to multiple health conditions, including fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, cervicalgia, lower extremity radicular pain, right shoulder osteoarthritis, COPD, and anxiety disorder. The Board granted the claim for aid and attendance special monthly compensation (SMC) for care of the Veteran’s spouse.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding his claimed conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with additional examinations by clinicians who have not previously examined him.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, curved spine, bilateral lower extremity condition, COPD, and thyroid condition.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims of service connection for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, COPD, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The VA examiners found no causal relationship between these disabilities and the service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his COPD began during or is otherwise causally related to active service, including exposure to jet engine fuel and asbestos.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is secondary to his service-connected asbestosis, and thus grants service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, and asbestosis are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for updated examinations. The impact of a coronary artery bypass surgery on pulmonary function tests is also unclear.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's residuals of right thoracotomy, finding that his symptoms are attributable to nonservice-connected COPD.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence that his COPD or myocardial infarction were related to asbestos exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD was incurred during active duty service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including bronchiectasis, COPD, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and asthma, is related to his in-service pneumonia. As such, service connection for a respiratory disability is granted.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's asthma existed prior to service and if it was aggravated by service. The VA examiner’s opinion is inadequate for adjudicating this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting the Veteran may have had a restrictive lung disease during his lifetime, and whether this could be attributed to in-service exposure. The VA examiner will need to address these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate Gulf War VA examination and need for further medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.